Rod Stewart has had it all. He's been lauded as the finest singer of his generation; he's written several songs that turned into modern standards; earned countless of the industry’s highest awards, among them, two inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the ASCAP Founders Award for songwriting, New York Times bestselling author, Grammy™ Living Legend, and in 2016 he officially became ‘Sir Rod Stewart’ after being knighted by Prince William at Buckingham Palace for his services to music and charity.
Born in London but also having Scottish roots, he grew up in a soccer-mad family where songs by artists like Al Jolson and Little Richard could often be heard wafting around the house. Stewart’s dad gave him a guitar at the age of 14. The following year, he quit school and attended trials for Brentford Football Club. Being unsuccessful, Stewart took up odd jobs like silk screen printing and busking while adopting a mod lifestyle. After appearing on a 1965 BBC documentary about the movement, he earned the nickname Rod The Mod because of his wispy blonde locks and stylish dress.